How to: Manage Acute Blood Loss

Main principles for acute blood loss

• Control haemorrhage if possible.

• If uncontrolled haemorrhage, give 2–3 ml/kg bwt/h of polyionic balanced crystalloid fluids.

• Blood transfusion, especially if haematocrit falls below 20%.

• Tranexamic acid 20 mg/kg bwt i.v., i.m. or subcut. q. 12 h.

• Consider terlipressin, 0.01–0.02 mg/kg bwt i.v. q. 4-6 h.

• Consider Yunnan Baiyao 8 mg/kg bwt per os q. 6 h.

Acute blood loss
Acute blood loss is a fairly uncommon but serious condition in horses. In breeding areas vets will most frequently come across this during parturition accidents in the mare, especially haemorrhage into the broad ligament. Trauma, erosion of blood vessels by mycotic plaques and tumours and idiopathic renal haematuria in Arabian horses are other potential causes of acute blood loss. [...]